Chapter 184: Chapter 184 Family First
Draven’s POV
"But are you girls still working?"I asked,seeing all of them at room,including Caroline among them, issuing directions and handling what looked like a thousand different tasks.
"With everything that’s happened in the last two days, there’s a lot to sort out," Caroline explained."We’re scheduling meetings with clients and suppliers who were diverted to Howard’s shell company, and with some of ours who somehow caught wind of what happened and have many questions."
"Draven, I’ve prepared an official statement for you to forward to all clients and suppliers," Arthur informed me, his expression serious. "It needs to be done quickly. I’ll forward it to your and Ryan’s email."
"The sooner you guys release that, the faster we can send it out," Eleanor added.
"Ladies, you need to rest. You too, Arthur," I insisted.
"We’ll do that as soon as this mess is in order, boss," Ava responded with a slight smile. "By the way, I’ve cleared your schedules for the rest of the week."
"I did the same with yours, manwhore!" Eleanor quipped at Joseph, who let out a small groan of displeasure that made us all laugh.
"Are you going to keep calling me that, Eleanor?" Joseph asked, his eyes darting toward Ava who was studiously avoiding his gaze.
"Definitely!" Eleanor looked at him defiantly.
"Yeah, Kyle, let’s behave so we can get a cute nickname like Nate’s," Ryan joked, referring to how Nate was often called ’prince’ by the these girls.
"Well, Ryan, if Draven is a clown and Joseph is a manwhore, I don’t even want to imagine what else can come out of Elle’s head," Kyle mocked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You better behave indeed," Eleanor warned with a smile .
The elevator doors opened, and Dr. Molina stepped out accompanied by two more people.
"Good morning everyone," Dr. Molina greeted cheerfully.
We exchanged greetings,and Dr. Molina introduced the pediatrician and nurse accompanying him.The pediatrician nodded respectfully to me.
"Let’s go to the rest room, Liam is there," I informed them and headed toward the location, holding Caroline’s hand.
When we entered, Dr. Molina greeted everyone present; he knew them all as he had a practice in Maplewood and had already followed Caroline’s pregnancy.
"So my sister-in-law played super secret agent?" Dr. Molina gave Nate’s mother a big smile.
"I’m thinking of becoming a private detective, brother-in-law. It’s exciting!" She replied enthusiastically.
Liam was awake in his grandmother’s lap, and when he saw me, he stretched out his little arms shouting, "Daddyyyyy!"
My heart clenched at the word, and Alaric howled with pride and possessiveness. This pup with his violet eyes was calling me daddy.
"Hi, my boy! Daddy is dying to see you!" I said, picking him up and pulling him close.
"Me too, Daddy! The bad wolf caught me, Daddy. And Dennis hit Auntie Mabel on the head," Liam said, his little hands gripping my shirt tightly.
Liam launched into an animated conversation, recounting what had happened and how annoying, mean, and shouty the "bad wolves" were all the time. I asked gentle questions, trying to be attentive without making my son dwell on the traumatic experience.
"Liam, the bad wolves will never get you again. Daddy promises you that," I said firmly.
"And no one will hurt Auntie Mabel anymore, right, Daddy? I didn’t like it!" His eyes searched mine for reassurance.
"That’s right, Auntie Mabel won’t be hurt anymore either."I felt Alaric stir protectively within me.
"Daddy, Mommy said you and her work together," Liam said, his curious little eyes eager for an answer.
"Yes, my son, that’s right. Do you want to see Daddy’s office?"
"Yessss!" he replied, raising his little arms in the air. "And can I work with you, Daddy?"
"Of course you can, when you grow up. But until then, you can come visit whenever you want." My wolf howled with satisfaction at the thought of teaching our cub, showing him how to lead the pack business someday.
It was all as new to me as it was to him. I called Dr. Molina to examine Liam and Caroline in my room and carried my son in my arms, showing him everything, as he was curious and full of questions.
The pediatrician examined my son and took blood samples for tests, while Dr. Molina examined Caroline and also collected material for tests.I tried not to hover too protectively, but Alaric was on high alert, concerned for his mate and pup.
"Draven, you can rest assured. Your son and mate are fine," Dr. Molina said, his tone professional but warm. "Caroline confirmed she didn’t suffer any aggression or falls, so her pregnancy remains protected. Besides, the doctor who treated her in the ER is a colleague of mine and did an ultrasound confirming everything is okay. She sent me the medical record. The Maplewood hospital also sent me Liam’s record. He’s a little dehydrated, but home care is sufficient," Dr. Molina reassured me.
"Thank you, Dr. Molina. That’s a huge relief," I said, my shoulders relaxing slightly for the first time in days.
"I’m glad! Well, we should be going. We have to get back to the hospital," he said, gathering his equipment. He turned to Caroline and gave her a warm smile. "Caroline, I’m so happy everything is alright. As soon as the test results are available, I’ll be in touch." He hugged her briefly and then turned to Liam, who was nestled in her lap. "And you, little buddy, keep taking care of your mommy."
"Okay!" Liam replied with a little smile and high-fived him.
As they left, I looked at Caroline and our son, feeling the bond between us strengthen. Somehow, against all odds, I had found my mate and my heir in one miraculous day.